NBA's First-Month Surprises: Johnson, George, Sharpe and Charlotte

As the NBA's first month nears its end, the biggest surprises from around the league have come to the forefront. Some teams are handling injury-related problems far better than others.

With the Atlanta Hawks, Jalen Johnson started the season slowly despite entering camp as the team's No. 1 star. His true shooting percentage of 54.1% is the lowest of his career. His three-point percentage stands at 20.5%, and his performance in two-man play is even worse.

Paul George looks healthier than he has in a long time after several seasons marked by injuries. Affecting every area of the court on defense, George is also providing steady scoring on offense. For the Celtics, who faced heavy criticism over the Jaylen Brown trade, it is already clear that George has fit in well with the team.

In Brooklyn, Day'Ron Sharpe continues to develop after taking over the starting center role. When Sharpe is on the floor, the Nets post a net rating that is 18.2 points per 100 possessions better. Although his rebounding numbers have dropped, the increase in his block and assist rates makes up for that loss. Earlier this month, the young center recorded 13 assists to reach the first triple-double of his career.

In Dallas, Cooper Flagg is taking his game to a higher level, while in Houston, Kevin Durant has deliberately stepped into a more secondary role. Charlotte currently has the worst offense in the NBA. This development is one of the surprises no one expected before the season.